Dual purpose tire wrap

ABSTRACT

An emergency tire apparatus comprising support members (tread panels) evenly proportioned and distributed as a network over the surface area of a tire or wheel rim, said members acting in concert to provide a supplemental tread surface in the event of a flat tire or blowout, or in the instance of adverse weather conditions, the present invention can be turned inside-out, whereby the opposite side of the tread panel has been embedded with traction assist elements. Said network being secured by a retaining apparatus, whereby passage apertures along the longitudinal edges of each support member will provide a holding-down means by which a belt, strap, or cable can be used to secure the device to the wheel, the ability of said device to be scaled for each application, whether it be to envelope a wheel rim alone, or a wheel rim with tire, this design feature allows for addition or removal of support members, thereby making the present invention useful on practically every size of tire, and in a variety of applications.

CROSS REFERENCES

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the occurrences of flat tires, and provides a means by which a vehicle can quickly become roadworthy without the use of a spare tire. Additionally, the present invention can double as a traction apparatus to assist vehicles in snowy, icy, or other inclement conditions. Throughout an exhaustive search, we have found nothing similar to the present invention. There have been some efforts that are used as preventive measures for flat tires, such as run-flat devices, but if not pre-installed, such a device is pointless in a post-blowout event. The present invention solves the problem and hassle of wheel replacement, without having to incur the extra expense of having countermeasures, such as a run-flat device, affixed to every wheel. This device is only used on an “as-needed” basis, and accordingly, will offer an attractive solution as a flat tire and traction assistance device to motorists.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ever since the inception and broad use of the pneumatic automotive tire, a flat is an experience that every motorist dreads. One must loosen the lug nuts, use a jack-type of device to lift the vehicle, haul the spare tire from its storage position, remove the disabled or damaged tire and wheel, replace it with the spare tire, tighten all the lug nuts to torque specs, and then one must physically place the defective tire and wheel back in the vehicle. This process includes much physical work because the entire wheel is being replaced.

The present invention provides a means by which the disabled corner of the vehicle can become operational without having to jack the vehicle up, and without having to replace the wheel rim with an undamaged tire. Furthermore, by incorporating a traction assist mechanism to the present invention, we have a device which makes itself useful for many different circumstances aside from the flat tire or blowout scenario.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention assists in making a vehicle driveable after the unfortunate event of a flat-tire, or worse yet, a complete blowout. These aims are accomplished by having several connected panels, treaded on both sides, made of a flexible material, such as rubber or an elasticized plastic, configured to form a lattice or ladder shaped network which when wrapped around and secured to a wheel rim (with or without a tire present) acts together to mimic the characteristics of a conventional tire. There are three primary objectives for the panels.

The first objective is to have an alternative tread surface, so the device can provide sufficient road surface traction, just as a tire. When properly installed, a vehicle will be able to stay in motion, despite a disabled tire.

The second objective is to provide adequate ground clearance for the vehicle. Since the device acts as a cushion, the device performs a double-duty by both restoring a vehicle to a standard ride height, and also, the cushioning prevents wheel rim damage.

The third objective is to use the opposite side of the panel to incorporate traction assist elements for inclement weather. By incorporating chain, cable, studs, or other traction elements to one side of the support member (tread panel), the present invention is capable of assisting a vehicle through ice, snow, or a variety of other adverse conditions which warrant the use of such aftermarket devices.

When considering the unpredictability of a tire's behavior when stressed from heat, cold, under-inflation, over-inflation, extreme driving maneuvers, or perhaps a puncture or other type of stress from road debris, there is no way of knowing whether such behavior will cause a mere flat, which will still leave a tire in a salvageable state, or a complete blowout, in which a tire has completely separated from the wheel rim.

In the case of a flat tire or blowout, the present invention can either be used to envelope a disabled tire, or if a tire has been tom apart from the rim, then the present invention can be installed directly to the wheel rim. As a traction assist device, the present invention can be installed onto a fully inflated wheeutire combination. Since support members (tread panels) can be added or removed, the device can be scaled for most any application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the specific showing in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, as layed out prior to installation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one support member conjoined by threading of the retaining member through the passage apertures. This also shows an alternate design feature, in which spacers are placed between the support members, along the retaining member, thereby creating a buffer between support members (tread panels), which will assist in limiting sliding of the support members along the retaining member. Additionally, these spacers will provide a fixed distance between support members.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reverse side of four support members, where traction assist elements have been embedded into the tread panels.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wheel. This shows the panels arranged around a wheel, with the retaining member threaded through the passage apertures.

FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of the wheel, in which an alternate design provides a means by which hollowed panels allign to form a closure mechanism. When two halves, one from each end of the apparatus, are brought together, the hollowed-out portions allign, and are secured by a retaining pin with eyelets at both ends.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the hollowed support member, and how the two halves are joined and secured by the retaining pin.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sidewall of the wheel, after the apparatus has been installed, an additional tightening device can be used as a holding-down means.

FIG. 8 is an example of the alternate design, where the two ends of the device can be arranged to meet when wrapped around the tire.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device, displaying the method of closure where two hollowed-out, half panels meet to make one support member, then secured by the retaining pin with eyelets at both ends, the retaining member of the device can be threaded through the eyelets, thereby securing that support members position in the network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus which wraps around a wheel rim 9 to provide a substitute tread 3 in the event of a flat tire or blowout. The present invention consists of several support members 3, treaded on both sides, made of rubber or elasticized plastic, forming a network, which when distributed and secured over the surface area of a tire or wheel rim 9, acts a substitute tire, thereby making the disabled vehicle operable again. Along the longitudinal edges of each support member 3 (tread panel), there are passage apertures 2 which will provide a means for securing the device to the wheel rim 9. Each support member 3 covers a portion of the tire or wheel rim, while longitudinally overlapping onto the sidewalls, where the passage apertures 3 can assist in securing the device. When the retaining member 1 is properly threaded through the passage apertures 2, and is adequately secured by means of a closure device, the network will provide an efficient means to make a vehicle roadworthy.

A variety of materials can be used to retain the device through the aforementioned apertures 2, including, but not limited to, chain, cable, bungee, or rope. Then, in order to secure the device, another assortment of materials can be used, including, but not limited to, hooks, caribiner, or latch.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will assist in restoring ride height to a vehicle that has experienced a flat tire or blowout. Since the present invention cushions the wheel rim 9, ride height can be restored to a reasonable level, and furthermore, the cushioning of the support members 3 will protect the wheel rim from being damaged.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will assist vehicular motion through adverse conditions by enhancing traction characteristics. This is accomplished by incorporating traction assist elements 5, such as chain, cable, or studs to the reverse side of the support member 3, between the wheel rim edges.

In order to install the device, one must either lay the support network down on the ground, and then drive over the device, or one can drape the device over a wheel, then move the car slightly to fully cover the surface area. Once the device is entirely covering the wheel, the ends of the retaining members 1 must be brought together, and the device must then be secured as mentioned above before driving.

As an alternative design, spacers 4 can be placed between the support members to provide a fixed distance between panels, and to prevent lateral movement of tread panels.

Another design feature incorporates the use of two-half panels 6 at opposite sides of the device, which when brought around the tire, the hollowed portions can allign, and a retaining pin 7 can be inserted to secure the two half-panels. Furthermore, the retaining pin 7 shall have eyelets at both ends 8, thereby facilitating the passage of the retaining member 1 through the eyelets 8, along with the other passage apertures 2 of the other support members 3. To further secure the device, an aftermarket tightening device 10 can be fastened to the apparatus. 

1. A dual purpose tire apparatus comprised of several treaded support members with passage apertures along the longitudinal edges, whereby a retaining member can be passed through the apertures to adjoin the support members so the apparatus can cover the circumference of the tread surface of an automobile. When properly installed, one side of the support members will be treaded, while the opposite side will also be embedded with tractionary assist elements. Therefore, the apparatus is dual action in that the device can substitute for a tire, and also, the device can assist when a vehicle requires extra traction, such as on ice or snow.
 2. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that there are spacers located on the retaining member, acting as a buffer between tread panels, so to prevent movement of support members, and also to create a fixed distance between the tread panels.
 3. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the materials used for the support members can vary, from rubber, elasticized plastic, or any other roadworthy material.
 4. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the materials used for the retaining member can vary, from cable, to bungee, to chain, or rope.
 5. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the materials used to secure the device can vary, from a latch, to a hook, to a caribiner, or belt-like closure.
 6. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting members, and therefore, the network, can be of various configurations, such as a ladder-type, lattice pattern, tubular, X-shaped, and so on.
 7. A dual purpose tire apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method of closure can utilize two halves of a hollowed-out support member, one at either end, and on opposite sides of the apparatus, which when brought together, form one support member (tread panel), then by lining up the hollowed area of both panels, a pin device with eyelets at either end, will be inserted into the hollowed area, thereby unifying that specific support member, and also providing a means by which the pin's eyelets will be evenly positioned with the passage apertures of the other support members, and thusly, the retaining member can be threaded through the eyelets. 